Tote bags are one of the most popular choices for promotional items. They’re handy, inexpensive, and they show the world you care.
Part of the sustainability trend that’s only going to increase (85% of people globally say they adopted “greener purchasing” habits in the past 5 years), choosing a reusable tote bag isn’t just a smart move for your business, but for your customer, and ultimately, the earth.
According to statistics, 15 billion plastic bags are used in Canada each year. For the United States, it’s more than 6 times that amount, clocking in at a whopping 100 billion.
If you’re still not quite grasping the magnitude of that number, maybe the image of the 12 million barrels of oil it takes to produce those 100 billion bags will help. And that’s just bags.
There’s no question that the world needs to cut down on its plastic bag use, but we all have to do our part. The biggest help? Bags that were designed to be reused and are made from materials that don’t have the same disastrous impact on our planet. That’s where you come in.
If you’re considering using tote bags as part of your promotional plan, then, first of all, great choice. You’ve come to the right place. A convenient accessory that’s proven its importance in our society, no matter what they’re made from (as long as it’s not elephant tusk, shark fins, and the like) you’re doing the planet a solid, that is…if your customers use it.
With that in mind, don’t just give out any kind of bag. Like all promotional products, the point of handing out a freebie is to make an impact. An impact on potential customers, existing clients, and with any luck, people passing by on the street.
So how do you do that? It all comes down to choosing something people actually want to use. The more useful, attractive, and clever an item, the more someone will want to tote it around. And that brings us to the subject of this post: tote bag ideas. Ahead, you’ll discover 10 different options to get the ol’ gears turning and help you make the right impact. Let’s start with a classic.
1. Canvas Tote Bag
You can’t really go wrong with this style of tote bag. It’s easy to print your logo on, it’s durable, light, and packable. In the grand scheme of things, it’s the perfect promotional bag for companies looking for something inexpensive, easy, and simple.
And with the canvas tote, simplicity is key. Black ink is the perfect contrast to beige canvas, and it also happens to be the most affordably-priced option for ink too. It’s a great pick for small businesses, eco-friendly companies, or natural stores, and you’ll find this material in all kinds of thicknesses. Choose accordingly.
2. Hemp Tote Bag
While cotton canvas is certainly more eco-friendly than plastic, if you’re truly concerned with making a positive impact on the planet and your customers, consider hemp. With 3-4x the strength of cotton and fantastic color retention, the fabric is the perfect pick for a tote.
As a renewable resource that requires very little water to grow and resists pests naturally, it’s considered one of the most sustainable fabrics on the planet.
3. Recycled Plastic Tote Bag
This style of tote bag sends a powerful message. Today, there are a ton of brands using either recycled ocean plastic or recycled water bottles for the material of their totes.
Want your customers to know you care about your community, the ocean, or the planet in general? Choosing a recycled plastic tote bag is a great way to let others know your company is invested in making positive changes.
4. Wine Bag Tote
If the message you want to send is one of luxury, downtime, or entertaining, consider a wine tote bag. With a long, slim design that’s perfect for just one bottle of wine, you’ll be giving your customer something they’ll use on a regular basis — whether that’s to carry wine home from the store or over to a friend’s house.
5. Resort/ Beach Bag Style Tote
There’s a reason we don’t take nice bags or purses to the beach: they’re bound to get wet, sandy, and hot. And while those are the three main reasons we all head to the beach, when it comes to a quality or designer bag, it’s better that you leave it at home.
Beach bags are made from easy-dry material or mesh that allows for airflow. Add on a few simple pockets for sunscreen or water bottles, and you have a functional bag that becomes a sunny weather necessity.
6. Cotton Mesh Tote
This style of tote bag is perfect for farmer’s market hauls and small trips to the grocery store. Of course, make sure the bag you select has a conveniently-placed patch that can hold your logo.
7. Colorful & Bright Collapsible Tote
Ever seen those little tote bags that fold up into themselves to create a simple shape (ie. a watermelon, fish, or smiley face)? A top-choice by women who conveniently stash them in their purses, these helpful self-storing bags can be made in bright, vibrant colors, making them something people will actually want to grab and use.
8. Oversized Carry-All Tote
Nothing is worse than getting to the grocery store with a reusable bag that’s too small to hold your groceries — other than, say, getting there with no reusable bag at all. The oversized carry-all tote is ideal for big grocery store hauls or any time users need to carry a lot of stuff.
With a large space to display your logo, if applicable, these styles of bags can handle your tagline too.
9. Zippered Tote Bag
Anything with a zipper just kicks things up a notch — bonus points if you choose a quality zipper. This style of bag will cost you a bit more than if you chose a simpler design, but it pays off by increasing the length of time users will have it for.
10. Insulated Tote Bag
Whether it’s to keep drinks chilled on the way to a picnic in the park or your meat cool while on the trek home from the grocery store, an insulated bag is a generous gift that makes a difference.
It’s something people buy for themselves and get frequent use out of during the warm seasons, so it’s a great option if you want to supply your customers with something that’s going to be seen a lot.
Takeaways
Now that you have some great promotional tote bag ideas, the sky’s the limit when it comes to color, design, or graphics. Whether you want a simple, packable, or purposeful tote bag, choose one that goes well with the message you want to get across. Need help choosing the tote bag that’s right for you? Contact us today!
